Aileen Joyce Schmidt was born in Concordia, Kansas on July 29, 1921 to Walter and Lillian (Horkman) Elliott. She was the second of three children, a sister Maxine who was the oldest and a younger brother, John. Her early childhood years were spent in Eastern Kansas where her father was employed by Conoco Oil Company as a delivery truck driver. Later her family moved to Lester, Kansas residing in a one-room sod house for several years until moving to DeNova, Colorado when Aileen was 10 years old. They lived there while the girls attended school at High Plains. Aileen graduated from High Plains High School in 1939. During that summer she worked helping her dad herding cattle on open range riding her horse. She then moved to Sterling and worked for a family doing babysitting, cooking, and household jobs in exchange for her room and board plus $3.00 a week. She later got a job working for Montgomery Ward selling furniture. In March, 1940 Aileen married Maurice Knudson. In 1943, they had a son, Albert. They divorced a few years later.

Aileen moved back to Akron and began working at Odell’s Café for Pop and Pearl Odell. Aileen met Earl J. Schmidt and they were married on May 29, 1946. Earl and Aileen resided on a ranch south-west of Akron. At that time she cooked using a camp stove. The house was without running water or electricity and they utilized wooden boxes for kitchen cupboards. As time went by, they were able to furnish their home and Earl built kitchen cupboards for Aileen. He was able to set up a wind-charger which provided enough electricity for two light bulbs. On May 22, 1951, a daughter, Peggy Lee was born. By that time they had an indoor bathroom and running water. Later they were able to build-on making a nice-sized home. Albert and Peggy attended Hillside Country School. In 1957 the family bought a house in Akron but continued to farm and ranch. In 1980, Earl and Aileen built a home on 285 Gum where she was able to reside the remainder of her life.

Aileen loved being a mother and homemaker. She took great pride in taking care of her family. Aileen enjoyed gardening, sewing, crocheting, canning, raising chickens, and she even won a blue ribbon at the fair for her cherry pie. She also enjoyed being a member of the Home Demonstration Club, having company, and going to church with her family. Aileen always volunteered to help Scotty Odell cook holiday meals at the school and loved being a room mother for Peggy’s school parties. She even saved the day by sponsoring Peggy’s senior sneak trip which was almost cancelled due to a teacher refusing to go. In later years, Aileen enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and always had cookies and other goodies to offer them even if dinner-time was near. She passed away on August 27, 2015 at Grace Pointe in Greeley, Colorado and will be deeply missed.

Aileen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Earl, sister Maxine Heater, and brother John Elliott. She is survived by her son Albert and wife Donna Joan of Loveland; their children Paige and Karen, three great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; her daughter, Peggy and husband Monte Willeke of Akron, children Corey Traxler and wife Teresa; daughter Lori and husband Todd Annand; Meghan and Drew Willeke; great grandchildren Kaylee and Justin Traxler; Hayden and Kacyn Annand; several nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

A funeral service was held on Monday, August 31, 2015 at the First Presbyterian Church of Akron. Interment was held at the Akron Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Akron.